I saw mom very early in the morning Sunday and she was obviously sleeping while I was there. Anthony, Con, Dad, Terry, Anthony Michael and Samantha spent the day with her. Uncle Ray (mom's brother) and Aunt Irene (her sister-in-law) spent part of the day and early evening with her as well. I came back to see mom again with Lenny and Aunt Carol later in the day. Much of what I will report about today comes from all her visitors and not so much me.
It sounded like a good day!
Reports were that:
-Her eyes were OPEN a lot today
-Mom moved her right side -- leg, arm, foot, hand...BUT she also moved her LEFT LEG!!!! (we rarely see her do this)
-When dad and Anthony spoke to her, she turned her head to look in their direction
-When Uncle Ray sang to mom, she faced him and cried (tear down cheek)
-She managed to get her right hand all the way up to her cheek and nose
-NEW -- it looked, several times, like she was sneezing (noiseless though due to trach)
While I was there:
-Mom's eyes were open halfway a lot or open just a sliver
-She looked at Lenny when he said hello
-She moved her right side body well
-Seemed to see us 2 xs in the 2 hours we were there
-NEW -- She blinked when I flicked a finger at her eye (sounds mean, but the doctors check for this reflex when they examine her---it's a biggy!!!)
Don't remember if I wrote or not about this, but mom no longer needs the splints she had at North Shore on the left side of her body because she is no longer stiff on that side. This is good news.
Also, the swelling (edema) on the left side has gone down considerably --- her nurse said she'd be given a diuretic for it.
PRAY today for:
1. The doplar scan on left arm and leg to reveal nothing other than water from lack of use
2. THAT SHE DOES WELL WITH HER RESPIRATORY THERAPY today!! Today begins the therapy to get her gradually off the vent!!! (May God blow the breath of the Holy Spirit in her to breath well on her own!!!)
3. Of course, that she progresses and progresses....
COMA STIMULATION PLAN!!!
Claudia and I have developed Coma Stimulation Activities to do with mom when anyone visits, as well as alertness and action charts to track mom's progress. Feel free to engage in any of the activities on the sheet with her and to track what you did and how she was while you were there with her. This information is important for the doctors to have. Working with mom in a constructive way will help to get her on the road to recovery---remember, the Occupational and Physical Therapists won't work with her yet because they feel she isn't alert enough to do so....so we, her loved ones, need to fill the gap for her. Claudia and I will be tracking progress and updating the activities schedule periodically. (Still gathering some materials we need today).
Anyone who'd like to visit mom is welcome to do so any time. I sent the e-mail with directions and visiting hours last week some time. BE POSITIVE and SPEAK ONLY POSITIVE WORDS IN HER PRESENCE because she CAN hear you. Please don't talk about how bad her hair looks, or that it was shaven at the top of her head....also don't talk about how she is doing in front of her either--only that she is doing GREAT!
Thanks always for your love and support and prayers. Love Kath
"The God of love and peace will be with you this day..." 2 Corinthians 13:11
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